Actions from Jym DyerMovable Type Pro 4.382013-02-15T23:22:42Zhttp://www.kcet.org/user/profile/pviles/feed/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=feed&_type=actions&username=jymCommented on Wash Those Reusable Grocery Bags in Foodtag:www.kcet.org,2013:/socal/food//1240.56407#1020992013-02-16T07:22:42ZJym Dyer
≎ A San Francisco health officer takes a dim view of this study, and explains why. One of the graphs in his memo does show a sharp increase in one variety of bacteria in 1990, though, which was when I started spending time in San Francisco, my unbleached organic cotton bags in tow. Draw your own conclusions.

The referenced 2011 study has come under fire for its small sample size. Even so, I do think it's wise to wash the bags now and again, and not leave them in an incubator. And to take a shower at least once a year, whether you need it or not.

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Commented on Wash Those Reusable Grocery Bags in Foodtag:www.kcet.org,2013:/socal/food//1240.56407#1020982013-02-16T07:22:12ZJym Dyer
≎ A San Francisco health officer takes a dim view of this study, and explains why. One of the graphs in his memo does show a sharp increase in one variety of bacteria in 1990, though, which was when I started spending time in San Francisco, my unbleached organic cotton bags in tow. Draw your own conclusions.

The referenced 2011 study has come under fire for its small sample size. Even so, I do think it's wise to wash the bags now and again, and not leave them in an incubator. And to take a shower at least once a year, whether you need it or not.

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Commented on Unmentioned at the Debate: Romney's Own 'Solyndra' in Rewiretag:www.kcet.org,2012:/news/rewire//1877.50808#451762012-10-05T00:19:13ZJym Dyer
San Francisco got a bunch of new bus stop shelters. They have a wavy roof on top (allowing rain to get in, oops), and a regular solar panel would spoil the look, so with great fanfare they promoted their use of Konarka's product.

The details changed with each press release. Supposedly these panels would power free wi-fi, a NextBus prediction display, and light up advertisements, with extra to go into the grid. 1/3rd of the shelters would be solar. Then it was announced that the panels would only power 1/3rd (there's that number again) of the shelter's energy needs. You could tell something wasn't quite right.

Last I knew, there was exactly 1 bus shelter with a Konarka solar array on the roof. If there's a massive power outage in San Francisco, at least the ad will remain lit up for the folks at the corner of Geary and Arguello.

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Commented on One Company's Solar Sexism Fail in Rewiretag:www.kcet.org,2012:/news/rewire//1877.50272#445292012-09-19T20:37:30ZJym Dyer
Elly Blue recently wrote a great adaptation of Alison Bechdel's Rule to bike marketing, to much acclaim. Perhaps it could be extended to solar marketing, or marketing in general:

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Commented on Can Efficient Lighting Be More Cost-Effective Than Building New Generation? in Rewiretag:www.kcet.org,2012:/news/rewire//1877.50003#439562012-09-07T16:49:31ZJym Dyer
I remember when CFLs cost $40, in the 1990s, and there were various approaches to try to make them affordable. Eventually utilities realized that "demand-side management" was cheaper than building new power plants and started to subsidize them. Alas, by then the race to the bottom had seriously lowered the quality and durability of CFLs on the market, and of course the utilities subsidized the cheapest junk they could find.

I can see demand-side management working for LEDs, and the technology is at least harder to screw up.